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In Zihua, June and I rented a nice room at a small, boutique hotel a couple of blocks from the beach on Playa La Ropa. While there, we walked into town, enjoyed the hotel pool, the local food, drink, and beaches. We also spent time on Playa Las Gatas. In one of the beach bars/restaurants, I met this fellow in the back playing a guitar. He and his sister were the owners. He spoke very good English, and after a while I offered to buy his a beer if he would play 'Beseme mucho' for June. He said he had to learn it first, so in about an hour, he came to our table and played this and several songs for us. His employees would pass and tease him for trying to quit his day job. See the video.
Troncones is a very small town just north of Zihua. We mostly hung out at the gorgeous home. A delicious breakfast was served by the house staff every morning. Lunch and dinner was an opportunity to visit the several local restaurants. June was afraid I would go stir-crazy with little to do, but her concern was soon relieved.
Geoff brought along a nice, remote blue-tooth speaker which we all took turns connecting to and playing music from our phones. On our second evening there, after dinner and a full day of drinking, Josh threatened to play some of his country music. Not being a country fan, I reacted to this by grabbing his phone from his hands, and taking off running across the patio, dodging tables and chairs. Josh, being a healthy, and equally inebriated 30-something, upon watching an old drunk dude run around the pool area with his phone, took off running after me. Over the next several minutes, he chased and seemingly caught me a couple of times, only to see me wiggle out of his grasp and again take off running. Finally, he grabbed me in a Heimlich-style hold, and lifted me off the ground. I felt, and we both heard, a loud cracking sound coming from my spine. I squealed, "My back!" although it actually felt pretty good at the time. He dropped me and started apologizing immediately. I took off running again, but then quickly stopped and gave him back his phone. We all proceeded to drink and dance the rest of the evening away.
That night, at about 2 pm, I woke and started to get up. I was suddenly shocked with agonizing pain in my back. It didn't completely leave me for at least a week.
June, Geoff, and the other ladies had a local woman come in to give massages every day. June and Geoff finally talked me into letting her do a light, 15-minute 'suction cup' massage on my back. That took about 2 minutes and was quite uneventful. The 'masseuse' then coaxed me onto the ground, which in itself was quite painful. She then proceeded to push and pull me from several directions. I let out painful groans which she apparently interpreted as moans of ecstasy. After a minute or so, I repeatedly yelled 'NO MAS!' She finally stopped. I just laid there for a bit and, with a great deal of help, made it to my feet and shuffled away. I gladly laid low at the beautiful Casa de la Troncones for the remainder of the week.
Ixtapa is the more commercial side of the greater Zihua area. We stayed two nights at the gigantic Las Brisas hotel. While there, we took a small ferry out to Isla Ixtapa and spent much of the afternoon on Playa Varadero snorkeling and lounging. Both evenings we ventured downtown and ate at Deborah's; Good, clean, and owned by an American who greeted us at the door.
Muchas Gracias to Geoff and Sue for a great vacation. This experience inspired me to host a week with my own kids in Lake Tahoe. Check it out.
Here are maps:
Music during pictures provided by my good friend Eric
Cabalo